«/b»Barbara Jean was born to Roy James and Bertha Veva Brown Loofbourrow at O'Conner Hospital on October 7, 1919. Her early years were spent in San Jose, California. She loved animals and was especially fond of her pygmy goat. She was fortunate enough to have cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents close by in Hollister and Los Gatos whom she visited often. There were trips to Washington to visit her Uncle Clifford's family too. She graduated from St. Patrick's Grammar School in San Jose in 1932 with A's and B's in all of her subjects. She then attended Notre Dame High where, with excellent grades, she graduated in 1936. From there she attended San Jose State University where she joined Beta Gamma Chi. Barbara majored in Home Economics but also enjoyed archery and basket ball. She left school in 1939 when her father, Roy Loofbourrow, died.
Barbara met and married Robert Norman Evans of San Jose in 1940 at Trinity Episcopal Church. For whatever reason, the marriage did not last long. They divorced sometime before 1943.
Barbara was working as a long distance operator when she met Arthur Henri Vignes Jr. at a USO dance at the Hotel De Anza in San Jose. Arthur was only stationed with the Army in the San Jose area for short a time before being sent to the European Front. They married on May 16, 1943 at the First Baptist Church in San Jose and honeymooned at Camp Richardson at Lake Tahoe. Shortly afterward, Arthur shipped out. Barbara stayed on in San Jose.
Barbara joined Arthur in New Orleans, Louisiana when he was released from the Army in July 1945. Shortly thereafter they moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana where they enjoyed sailing and picnicking with friends. Eventually Arthur and Barbara decided to start their own credit bureau and moved to Orem, Utah to make a new home. They made many new friends and enjoyed camping and fishing in Bryce, Zion and other beautiful spots in Utah. In April, 1950 their first daughter, Julie Marie was born.. In May, 1952 their second daughter, Deborah was born. There were many young families with small children in the neighborhood and soon children and mothers were visiting back and forth. In 1954 Barbara learned that her mother, Bertha, was very ill. Barbara and Arthur decided it was time to move to California. They found a home in Cupertino. Arthur worked at Western Appliance and later at Fireside Thrift. Barbara served on the PTA board at Doyle Elementary School. In 1956 Bertha passed away. Besides raising two daughters, Barbara enjoyed sewing, sailing and spending time at the beach. In 1958 Barbara gave birth to James Marshal (Jamie) and in 1960 Mary Eleanor (Nori).
Arthur was offered a promotion at Fireside Thrift that meant a move to Woodland Hills, California for the family in 1961. In 1962, Barbara became critically ill. Arthur's cousin, Elise Ward and her daughter Wanda stepped in to help care for the younger children. Arthur was able to purchase a business that would keep him much closer to home until Barbara recovered. When Barbara was fully recovered and the youngest two children were in school, Barbara joined Arthur in running the Woodland Hills Donut Shop on Ventura Blvd. Julie and Debbie helped with the business; waitressing and cleaning on weekends. Barbara split her time between waitressing and caring for Jamie and Nori. Barbara suffered a heart attack and died after walking Jamie to his scout meeting on February 6, 1969. She was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, CA.